HISTORY
The Opening Ceremony and Service of Dedication of Whiteabbey Methodist Church took place on June 6, 1936, the culmination of over 100 years of Methodist witness in Whiteabbey and demonstrated the faith and commitment of the local people on building a church at a difficult time in world, national and local history.
The first full-time minister was the Rev H Sloan, and in 1937 a wooden hut – known as the Lecture Hall - was erected at the back of the Church to serve as a meeting place for the growing Sunday School and work with young people.
A Girls’ Brigade Company was formed in 1959 under the captaincy of Miss Minnie Sloan (now Minnie Warner), shortly followed by a thriving Cadet Section and a Company Section.
The Whiteabbey Methodist Boys Bridge was formed in September 1961, starting with a small group of Life Boys officially attached to Greencastle Methodist. By 1967, the company had its own identity and became the 12th Newtownabbey Company (Junior Section). The first captain was Mr Sam Chapman.
At around the same time, the Lecture Hall was replaced by a new Church Hall, thanks to a grant of £5,000 from the Methodist Church Extension Fund and the continued dedicated fund-raising and giving of the Congregation, started some 10 years earlier. The Official opening took place on January 20, 1968 and allowed the uniformed organisations to meet on Church premises, and the introduction of other activities such as a Youth Club and the Bowling and Badminton clubs.
The Hall served its purpose for 40 years but it became clear a new Hall would be needed to meet present and future needs and building began on the current Church Halls in 2009. The official opening took place on January 24, 2010, overseen by the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev Donald Ker.
Our current minister, the Rev Pauline Lorimer is the 17th full-time minister in Whiteabbey Methodist as it goes from strength to strength with the help of every member of our congregation who plays a part in the life of this church and the worship of God in His church.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations
Psalm 100:5
Our Mission Statement
Whiteabbey methodist chruch is a welcoming church, honouring god, following Christ and serving others in love through the Holy Spirit.
